The move raised some eyebrows, considering Kinsler arguably has been Detroit's hottest hitter, recording four home runs and 14 RBIs in his past 14 games.

So why sit him?

"We've been talking about getting him an off day before the break," Ausmus said.

But why Sunday, of all days?

Kinsler is riding an eight-game hitting streak in which he's batted 17 for 36. He recorded his seventh straight multi-hit game Saturday. His .479 slugging percentage is the highest of his career, and his 33 multi-hit games trails only Houston's Jose Altuve. He's been on an absolute tear this past month.

"That's the problem with good players," Ausmus said. "You don't ever want to take them out of the lineup. But at some point, the guy has to get a rest."

The move was not injury related, and Ausmus confirmed Kinsler would be back in the lineup Monday before joking he may not get another day off until August. Ausmus also said Miguel Cabrera will likely get a day off in the near future, too.

"Neither one of them will tell me they need a day," Ausmus said. "It's more me approaching them to talk about it and deciphering what their words really mean."

Ausmus said he spoke with Kinsler on Saturday night and the two mutually decided that Sunday would be a good day to rest the 32-year-old. It marked just the second time this season that Kinsler has been held out of the starting lineup.

"I know he's been swinging the bat well," Ausmus said. "But even guys who are swinging the bat well and good players, they have to have days off."